by Clive Mclaren

Created on: October 30, 2008

Reply to Essay on Repentance by Joseph Jusinski.

I agree that we should all 'wake up' to our surroundings. I agree too that we all need to rise above our petty squabbles and irritations. Jesus said 'do not let the sun go down on your anger', also when asked by Peter how many times should I forgive my enemy, 7 times?' Jesus replied 70 x 7', meaning until the anger, pain or resentment, has been completely erased by our wilful decision to forgive and forget, then the love of Jesus replaces the bitterness one felt for that person.

Easier said than done right?
Repentance is not however just waking up' to the realities of life. Repentance means to turn away from sin by turning back towards God, a full 180 degree turn. None of us can do that on our own; our good intentions need God's grace, mercy and the power of the Holy Spirit to be truly life changing.

Even Jesus would do nothing without His Father's blessing and authority.So what hope do we have?
Without Jesus, none! Only by knowing His unconditional forgiveness, allows us then to forgive ourselves and those who have hurt us. Recognising how sinful we are and that only by grace can we be saved, also gives us insight about the necessity of asking forgiveness of those we have hurt; as humility is a healer and great leveller!

(I would just like to say here that although Sin means doing something that is morally wrong, it also it means to turn away from God. Pride was the original sin, and by that I mean, thinking we can live without God and be independent of Him. Even so called good' people, sin if they think they are good by their own efforts. Jesus said no one is good, only my Father in Heaven is good.' We ALL fall short of His standards; sin is not just doing something bad', it is more about saying I don't need God')

If what I have said is true, then Joseph's wake up!' call is maybe over simplistic and does not get to the heart of the human trait of pride. It also does not answer the questions of hate, and a need for revenge; often expressed in our demand for Justice.

Most people I know, including me, I am sad to admit; get irritated and frustrated very easily about what are really petty offences. So to be at peace with our selves, with our neighbour and especially with God is certainly an ideal, which I think most of us would strive for; but most of us rarely attain.

All religions have their road to peace, but only Jesus died for our wrong hearted humanity. It is through acknowledging our true natures and recognising

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